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educational, conservation and other non-profit purposes is authorized without prior permission from the copyright holder, provided that the source is fully acknowledged.BOTANIC GARDENS CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL (BGCI) Reproduction for resale or other commercial purposesis a membership organization linking botanic gardens in over 100 is prohibited without prior written permission from thecountries in a shared commitment to biodiversity conservation, copyright holder.sustainable use and environmental education. BGCI aims to mobilize The designation of geographical entities in thisbotanic gardens and work with partners to secure plant diversity for the document and the presentation of the material do notwell-being of people and the planet. BGCI provides the Secretariat for imply any expression on the part of the authors or Fauna & Flora International concerning the legal statusthe IUCN/SSC Global Tree Specialist Group. of any country, territory or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delineation of its frontiers or boundaries.

AUTHORS Dr Antonia Eastwood was previously Tree Red List Officer at Fauna & Flora International and is now Plant Ecologist at the Macaulay Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland.

THE GLOBAL TREES CAMPAIGN is a joint initiative between FFI and Dr Georgy Lazkov is a plant taxonomist at the InstituteBGCI in partnership with a wide range of other organizations around of Biology and Pedology, National Academy of Sciences, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.the world. The aim of the Campaign is to save the world’s mostthreatened trees and the habitats in which they grow through the Professor Adrian Newton is Professor in Conservationprovision of information, delivery of conservation action and support for Ecology at the School of Conservation Sciences at Bournemouth University and the Vice Chair of thesustainable use. IUCN/SSC Global Tree Specialist Group.

The opinion of the individual authors does not

necessarily reflect the opinion of either the editors or Fauna & Flora International.

The authors and Fauna & Flora International take no

responsibility for any misrepresentation of material fromTHE IUCN/SSC GLOBAL TREE SPECIALIST GROUP forms part translation of this document into any other language.of the Species Survival Commission’s volunteer network of over 7000volunteers working to stop the loss of plants, animals and their habitats. COVER PHOTOS Front cover: Walnut harvest, Kyrgyzstan. The walnut isSSC is the largest of the six Commissions of IUCN-The World a key component of the highly threatened fruit and nutConservation Union. It serves as the main source of advice to the Union forests of Central Asia and is also of great economicand its members on the technical aspects of species conservation. The importance to people in the region (Chris Loades/FFI). Back cover: Forest, Kyrgyzstan (Chris Loades/FFI).aims of the IUCN/SSC Global Tree Specialist Group are to promote andimplement global red listing for trees and act in an advisory capacity to COVER DESIGNthe Global Trees Campaign. John Morgan, Seascape. Trees ofThe Red List of

Central Asia

Antonia Eastwood, Georgy Lazkov

and Adrian NewtonThe Red List of Trees of Central Asia

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements 3

Acronyms 3

Foreword 4

Introduction 5

THE RED LIST OF TREES OF CENTRAL ASIA 12

Species evaluated as Least Concern 19

Species not evaluated 21

References 22

ANNEX 1 IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria 24

2 The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

he production of this Red List of Natalya Nelina (Institute of Botany and Translation between Russian and English

T Trees of Central Asia would not

have been possible without thecollaboration, commitment and Phyto-introduction, Kazakhstan), Magjan Isin (Research Institute of Plant Protection, Kazakhstan), Abdukhalil Kayimov (State was done by Igor Smirnov, BGCI Russia. Amy Hinsley, Programme Officer at FFI, coordinated final editing and production ofparticipation of regional and international Agrarian University, Uzbekistan) and the report. Georgina Magin, Global Treesexperts. The experts who participated in Jarkyn Samanchina (Bashat-Community Campaign Coordinator at FFI, providedthe regional workshop held in Bishkek in and Business Forum, Kyrgyzstan). oversight and editorial input and SaraJuly 2006 were: Nadezhda Yakovleva, Oldfield, Secretary General of BGCI andKamil Ashimov, Tirkesh Murzaev, Elina The Global Trees Campaign is very grateful Chair of the IUCN/SSC Global TreeProkhorenko (Kyrgyz Agrarian University, to the Kyrgyz Agrarian University, Bishkek Specialist Group, provided expert adviceKyrgyzstan), Sayra Kissanova (Association for hosting the workshop, particularly for and technical knowledge. Elizabeth Allen,of Reserves & Natural Parks, Kazakhstan), the support provided by Dr Almazbek Editorial Assistant of Oryx at FFI, assistedIskandar Mirkhashimov (GEF/UNDP Irgashev, Akylbek Kasymov and Dr Almaz with final editing, Liesje Birchenough wroteproject; In-situ Conservation of Orozumbekov. We would also like to thank the case study on the walnut-fruit forest inKazakhstan’s Mountain Agrobiodiversity, Nuska Botoiarova, formerly FFI’s Central Kyrgyzstan and Jarkyn Samanchina, FFI’sKazakhstan), Sovetbek Kenjebaev Asia Project Coordinator, for all her Project Officer in Kyrgyzstan, coordinated(Institute of Biosphere, Kyrgyzstan), Akbar organisational, administrative and logistical production of the Russian version of thisMamadrizokhonov (Khorog State assistance that helped ensure the report.University, Tajikistan), Evgeny Botman, workshop was such a success.Evgeny Butkov (Centre for Horticulture andForestry, Uzbekistan), Kairkul Shalpykov We would also like to take this opportunity(Institute of Biology and Pedology, to thank the Red List Unit (IUCN SpeciesKyrgyzstan), Galina Malosieva, Leonid Programme), in particular Helen TempleAndreychenko, Ishenbay Soodonbekov and Craig Hilton-Taylor, for providing(Bishkek Botanic Garden, Kyrgyzstan), technical guidance on the application ofGulnara Sitpaeva, Alfia Kurmantaeva, IUCN categories and criteria.

ACRONYMS

BGCI Botanic Gardens Conservation International IUCN The International Union for Conservation CEC Commission of the European Communities of Nature CECON Nature Conservation Centre, Guatemala NTFP Non-Timber Forest Product CI Conservation International SSC Species Survival Commission FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the UK United Kingdom United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme FFI Fauna & Flora International USDA United States Department of Agriculture GEF Global Environment Facility GIS Geographical Information System

3The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

FOREWORD

rees are important to the well-being In many ways Target 2 underpins the

T of people in every country of the

world, providing ecological, economic and cultural essential other ambitious targets that relate to in situ and ex situ conservation and sustainable use and trade in plants. services. In Central Asia, a vast and varied Projects of the Global Trees Campaign region with generally relatively low forest carried out in partnership with cover, tree species are of great value in organizations and individuals around the defining forest ecosystems and providing world help to deliver these various targets. resources such as fuelwood, timber, fruits The projects contribute to halting the loss and nuts. In fact the genetic diversity of of forest biodiversity and the provision of fruit and nut trees within the region is of support to rural livelihoods. outstanding global significance. As elsewhere in the world, the trees of The Global Tree Specialist Group is Central Asia face an onslaught of threats committed to undertaking a global from habitat destruction, over-grazing, assessment of the conservation status of over-harvesting and the increasing impact tree species. Results of the global of global climate change. This report assessment will be published as presents a review of the conservation components of the work are completed. status in the wild of the trees of Central This will ensure that regular indicators of Asia, facilitated by FFI and the IUCN/SSC progress are produced, updated tree Global Tree Specialist Group. conservation data are made widely available and that tree conservation Since its establishment in 2003 the initiatives around the world can be primary role of the IUCN/SSC Global Tree supported. Specialist Group has been to assess the global conservation status of tree species This report highlights 67 tree species that in selected geographical areas and are globally threatened, near threatened taxonomic groups. This report is the fifth or of concern because of insufficient publication in the series. information on their status in the wild. It highlights the actions that urgently need The collection of information on tree to be undertaken to prevent the extinction species of conservation concern is vital for of these species. Fortunately we have the planning conservation action. The ability to act, working with nature secondary role of the IUCN/SSC Global conservation and forestry agencies, Tree Specialist Group is to act as an botanic gardens and germplasm banks of advisory body for the Global Trees the region. Fauna & Flora International and Campaign, which aims to save the world’s Botanic Gardens Conservation most threatened tree species and the International, the international partners in habitats where they grow. The Global the Global Trees Campaign, are Trees Campaign provides an important committed to helping save these tree practical mechanism for implementation species from extinction. of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Global tree red listing contributes directly to Target 2 of the Sara Oldfield Strategy, which calls for a provisional list of Chair of the IUCN/SSC Global Tree threatened plant species by 2010. Specialist Group

4 The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

INTRODUCTION

Central Asia forms a vast region that The vastness of the region (almost FORESTS AND WOODLANDS OFstretches from the Caspian Sea in the 4,000,000 km2), its landscapes and CENTRAL ASIAwest to the great Tien Shan mountain altitudinal zonation have led to a wide The aridity of the region means that therange in the east. The region is range of ecosystem types that include proportion of land under forest orcomposed of five independent republics: steppe, riparian tugai, taiga, wetlands, woodland is relatively low when comparedKazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, snowfields and deserts. These in turn are to more humid regions such as SouthTurkmenistan and Uzbekistan. All five home to threatened species such as America. Tajikistan has the least, withcountries were once part of the Soviet snow leopard Uncia uncia, saiga antelope around 3.9% of its total land area coveredUnion until their independence in 1991. Saiga tatarica tatarica and beluga by forest or woodland, whilst UzbekistanThe largest of the Central Asian countries sturgeon Huso huso. has the most, with 10.1% of its landis Kazakhstan, with a total land area wooded (FAO, 2006a). Kyrgyzstan,of just over 2,700,000 km2. Tajikistan The region supports some 8,300 species Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan have 6.2%,is the smallest country, occupying of vascular plants (Kamelin, 2002) of 7% and 8.8% forest and woodland cover143,100 km2. which approximately 10% are thought to respectively. A large proportion of the be endemic. The mountains of Central woodland in Kazakhstan andCentral Asia is a region of contrasting Asia are a recognized global biodiversity Turkmenistan is composed of desertlandscapes. In the west it is dominated hotspot (Davis et al., 1995), supporting saxaul Haloxylon spp. shrublands (FAO,by the barren, rocky Ustyrt Plateau and over 300 wild fruit and nut species. These 2006a). Located primarily in thethe vast Turan Plain, with the Kara-Kum include wild species of apple (four mountains, the forests of Central Asia playDesert in the south and the Kyzyl-Kum species), almond (8–10 species), cherry a pivotal role in environmental protection,Desert in the centre. The Kopetdag (8–10 species), plum (4–5 species), and preventing soil erosion and desertification,Mountains in the south-west form a walnut (one species) as well as many and regulating watersheds.natural border between Turkmenistan domesticated varieties. The rich diversityand Iran. The extensive lowland plains in of fruit and nut species in the region led Despite the relatively low forest/woodlandthe west and centre of the region, the Russian geneticist and plant breeder cover, Central Asia supports a diversecomprising largely desert and arid N.I. Vavilov to propose it as one of the range of forest and woodland types,steppe, eventually give rise to the uplands world’s eight centres of crop origin and some of them unique to the region. Theand then the great mountain ranges of domestication (Hawkes, 1998). In fact, main and most notable forest andthe Tien Shan, the Altai and the Pamir. recent molecular genetic studies strongly woodland types of the region are:The highest peaks in Central Asia are support the hypothesis that the domesticIsmoil Somoni Peak (7,495 m), Pobedy apple originated from Kazakhstan (Harris Saxaul Haloxylon spp. shrublands canPeak (7,439 m) and Lenin’s Peak et al., 2002). be found in the desert and arid steppe(7,134 m). At altitudes above 3,500 m regions, mostly in Turkmenistan andpermanent snow, rock and glaciers There are 500–600 arborescent species Kazakhstan. These shrublands, whichdominate the landscape. Although the in Central Asia, of which 100–150 can be typically include drought resistant speciesregion is largely arid, a number of large classified as trees, the remainder being such as Salsola, Calligonum andrivers such as the Amu-Darya and the shrubs (Lazkov, pers. comm., 2008). This Elaeagnus, play an essential role inSyr-Darya flow down from the mountains includes taiga species such as Abies preventing soil erosion.to form lakes such as Issyk-Kul in sibirica and Picea schrenkiana as well asKyrgyzstan and the Aral Sea, which lies desert shrubs such as Haloxylon Riparian tugai is restricted to theon the border of Kazakhstan and persicum and H. aphyllum. High species floodplains of the region and is foundUzbekistan. These large rivers are diversity and endemism is particularly alongside river courses and streams.responsible for the verdant, fertile valleys, notable in the shrubby genera Tugai is typically composed of a mixturesuch as the Fergana Valley, which today Calligonum, Tamarix, Astragalus, of willow Salix spp., poplar Populus spp.are intensively irrigated for crops. Cotoneaster, Rosa and Crataegus. and birch Betula spp..

5The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

Broadleaved fruit and nut forests are environmental protection, recreation and priority. The majority of protected areasfound in the foothills and slopes of the wildlife management (FAO, 2006a). and leskhozes are severely under-Tien Shan, Pamir-Alai and the Kopetdag Central Asian forests are regionally resourced and lack the necessarymountains between 800–2,000 m. These recognized as being essential in institutional capacity, financial support andfragmented forests are incredibly rich in protecting common watersheds and expertize for the effective management ofwild fruit- and nut-bearing species such arresting land degradation and biodiversity and law enforcement (MEP,as walnuts Juglans regia, apples Malus desertification. 1998; MNPT, 2002; Cornet andspp., pears Pyrus spp., plums Prunus Rajapbaev, 2004; Jashenko, 2006).spp. and almonds Amygdalus spp.. State forestry enterprises are also responsible for the management of some FOREST USEJuniper (archa) woodlands/shrublands forested protected areas, such as the Despite the low forest cover in Centralare found typically in the dry foothill Badai-Tugai Strict Nature Reserve in Asia, the people of the region haveregions or at mid to high altitude (up to Uzbekistan. The rest of the protected always had a strong association and3,500 m above sea level), where they areas tend to be managed by nature dependency on forests to providetake on prostrate forms. Species include protection agencies. All five Central Asian firewood, timber and food (nuts, fruit,Juniperus seravschanica, J. semiglobosa countries largely inherited the former mushrooms and honey). In fact, the nameand J. turkestanica. Soviet system of protected areas, which of Kazakhstan’s former capital, Almaty, includes Strict Nature Reserves literally means ‘the Father of Apples’. TheTaiga forests comprising predominantly (zapovedniks), National Parks, Nature long association of humans with applesspruce and fir species are restricted to Monuments and Special Purpose in the region is demonstrated by the lackthe northern slopes of the Tien Shan Reserves (zakazniks). The highest of distinction between some wild speciesbetween 1,700 m and 2,700 m. Typical protection is provided by zapovedniks and their cultivated varieties (Juniper andspecies include Picea schrenkiana and (IUCN Category I), whilst zakazniks have Mabberley, 2006).Abies sibirica. The endemic Semenov fir the least protection (IUCN Category IV).Abies semenovii is restricted to small To date, there are 39 zapovedniks, 14 Wood fuel is still important in Kyrgyzstanareas in western Kyrgyzstan. National Parks, some 67 Nature and Tajikistan where a high proportion of Monuments and around 150 zakazniks in the population live in rural areas and doPistachio Pistacia vera woodlands are Central Asia. These numbers are likely to not have access to fossil fuels. Infound on the lower, drier foothills and increase in the near future as more Tajikistan more than 80% of ruralmountain slopes of western Tien Shan, protected areas are designated. A households rely on wood fuel as a mainPamir-Alai and Kopetdag. One of the number of zapovedniks were established source of cooking energy (FAO, 2006a).most notable areas of pistachio is in the to conserve distinct forest types such as Since independence all the Central AsianBadghyz Strict Nature Reserve the Zaaminsky State Reserve (unique countries apart from Turkmenistan have(Turkmenistan), where the trees form juniper forest) in Uzbekistan and Sary seen an increase in the demand for woodextensive open groves covering around Chelek Biosphere Reserve (fruit and nut fuel (FAO, 2006a). Primarily due to low76,000 ha (MNPT, 2002). forest) in Kyrgyzstan. productivity, forest plantations make up only a small proportion of the total forestFOREST MANAGEMENT AND The political and economic collapse of the cover in Central Asia. These are mainlyNATURE CONSERVATION Soviet Union between 1989 and 1991 has set aside for protective measures ratherThe majority of the forests and had a profound effect on all the Central than for wood production. Most of thewoodlands in Central Asia are still owned Asian countries, with consequences Central Asian countries depend onby the state, and management is still including war and civil unrest (UNDP, imported wood, although imports havelargely based on the Soviet system of 2005). The ensuing sharp economic drastically reduced since the break-up ofstate forestry enterprises or leskhozes decline has had a huge impact on the Soviet Union (FAO, 2006a). Although(FAO, 2006a). The main objectives of people’s lives in the region, with nature logging is officially illegal in the majority offorest management in all the Central conservation and environmental the indigenous forests in Central Asia,Asian countries are focused on protection subsequently receiving low substantial quantities are still removed

6 The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

(FAO, 2006a). Trees are felled for timber Safarov, 2003; Cornet and Rajapbaev, The forests of the Tien Shan and Pamir-and, in the case of walnut, to produce 2004; IRIN, 2003) all indicate that Central Alai mountains and the floodplain tugaiveneer for furniture. The amount of illegal Asian forests and woodlands are under forests provide crucial environmentalfelling that is currently taking place is not severe threat from over-exploitation, protection and ecosystems services toknown. desertification, pests and diseases, over- the predominately arid Central Asian grazing and fires. A combination of region. Their loss and degradation notNon-timber forest products (NTFPs) such factors including the cessation of only threatens globally unique biodiversityas walnuts, apples and pistachios are an subsidized timber from the former Soviet and rural livelihoods but also endangersimportant source of livelihoods for rural Union, rural poverty, a lack of alternative water supply and regulation, essential tocommunities in Central Asia. Collection of energy sources and the lack of fertile agricultural areas such as theNTFPs ranges from subsistence institutional capacity to protect and Fergana Valley and major metropolises inharvesting to collection for international regulate forests have all added to the the region.trade with, for example, China or Turkey. pressure on vulnerable forests of theIn southern Kyrgyzstan, walnut is the region. The forests and woodlands METHODOLOGY USED FORmost important NTFP and can be a major growing on the foothills of the Tien Shan, CONSERVATION STATUSsource of income for the local population, Palmir-Alai and Kopetdag mountains, ASSESSMENTespecially during years of good harvest especially those near rural settlements, The IUCN/SSC Global Tree Specialist(Fisher et al., 2004). are most threatened. This includes the Group, in association with the Global slow-growing juniper forests of Tajikistan Trees Campaign, uses a number ofFor rural communities the forests also and Kyrgyzstan, which are threatened by approaches to undertake globalprovide grazing for livestock and the firewood collection and over-grazing. assessments of the conservation statusunder-storey of wood pastures is cut for Kyrgyzstan, for example, lost some 35% of tree species (Newton and Oldfield,hay to provide fodder during the winter of its montane juniper in just a few 2008). These include, most importantly,months. Although grazing is illegal in the decades (MEP, 1998). As firewood close collaboration with regional andmajority of leskhozes in Kyrgyzstan, becomes increasingly scarce around international experts in botany andlivestock grazing in woodland is very settlements, villagers have to go deeper forestry, as well as extensive literaturemuch the norm (Fisher et al., 2004). and deeper into the forest to satisfy their reviews and searches on online daily fuel needs. taxonomic and herbarium databases,THREATS TO FORESTS AND supported by GIS mapping.WOODLANDS Although an important source of incomeThe Global Forest Resources for rural communities, unsustainable rates To undertake an assessment of theAssessment 2005 (FAO, 2006b) indicates of harvesting of NTFPs such as walnuts conservation status of Central Asian treesthat the extent of forests and woodlands continue to pose a huge threat to the the Global Trees Campaign organized ain Central Asia has remained relatively region’s unique fruit and nut forests. The workshop in July 2006 to bring togetherunchanged since 1995. However, the threat is further compounded by a range of regional experts from thereliability of the data provided for the unregulated logging, grazing, hay-making Central Asian countries. A total of 25assessment is uncertain owing to the and, more recently, pests such as the participants from Kyrgyzstan,region’s lack of capacity to monitor and gypsy moth Lymantria dispar. In the Jalal- Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan andconduct forest inventories since the Abad province of Kyrgyzstan local the UK attended the workshop inbreak-up of the Soviet Union. There is foresters and residents have noticed Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Regrettably, thealso very little official information on the marked reductions in the walnut and workshop organizers were unable toactual status of forests, their associated apple harvest in recent years (IRIN, 2003). arrange for an expert from Turkmenistanspecies and levels of degradation. A biodiversity hotspot report by to attend. Over the 3-day workshop the Conservation International (CI, 2008) participants, through much discussionA number of reports, national biodiversity states that some 90% of fruit and nut and debate, produced a list of nationallystrategies and the experience of regional forest habitats have been lost in the last threatened tree species, a candidate listexperts (MEP, 1998; MNPT, 2002; 50 years. of globally threatened Central Asian tree

7The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

species, and a preliminary Red List of SUMMARY OF RESULTS Ribes malvifolium, are threatened byglobally threatened trees from Central over-harvesting of fruits and collection ofAsia using the IUCN Red List categories Conservation Number of saplings as rootstock for grafting. Moreand criteria (IUCN, 2001). During the Status taxa specifically, Calligonum triste is directlyworkshop a map of regional forest cover, Extinct 0 threatened by desertification and soilderived from satellite remote sensing Critically Endangered 23 salination resulting from the drainage ofimagery, was used to define the potential Endangered 13 the Aral Sea.distributional range of selected species. Vulnerable 8For this purpose the Moderate Resolution Near Threatened 5 A number of the species that areImaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Data Deficient 17 Endangered or Vulnerable are wildVegetation Continuous Fields (VCF) Least Concern 30 relatives of domesticated fruit and nutproduct was used (Hansen et al., 2003). Total Evaluated 96 varieties. This includes wild apricotThis product depicts the percentage tree Not Evaluated 12 Armenica vulgaris (EN), which iscover at a resolution of 500 m using a threatened by unsustainable harvestingsupervised regression tree algorithm. For Of the 96 taxa evaluated, 44 are and over-collection by national andeach species considered distributional categorized as Critically Endangered, international plant-breeding companies.ranges were derived by exploring the Endangered or Vulnerable, meaning that Two wild apple species, Malusexpert data elicited during the workshop they are threatened with extinction in the niedzwetzkyana (EN) and Malus sieversiiusing ArcView v. 9.1 (ESRI, Redlands, wild according to the IUCN Red List (VU), are still found in the fragmented fruitUSA; www.esri.com). Following the categories and criteria. A further five taxa and nut forests of Central Asia and areworkshop the preliminary Red List was are Near Threatened and 17 are Data threatened by habitat degradation, mainlyreviewed and revised with the assistance Deficient. Data Deficient taxa are those from agricultural development and over-of the Red List Unit, IUCN Species taxa that are deemed not to have sufficient grazing.Programme and additional research in information available to assign a Red Listthe literature and online databases. category. In the current evaluation this is A number of species are directly primarily because of the lack of knowledge threatened by over-collection forRESULTS OF EVALUATION of the conservation status of species firewood. This includes JuniperusOver the course of the 3-day workshop whose distributions extend outside Central schugnanica (VU), Calligonum calcareum25 experts from Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Asia, for example, into Afghanistan or Iran. (CR) and Calligonum paletzkianum (VU).Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the UK In addition, the lack of capacity of scientific Populations of these species have allevaluated 96 Central Asian tree and institutions to undertake fieldwork, seen dramatic declines in recent years,shrub species according to the IUCN Red particularly since the break-up of the particularly those in the vicinity of ruralList categories and criteria (IUCN, 2001). Soviet Union, has reduced the availability settlements.Twelve tree and shrub taxa listed in the of up-to-date information. This is especiallyRed Data Book of Turkmenistan pertinent for Kazakhstan, the ninth largest The experts evaluated both walnut(Atamuradov et al., 1999) were not country in the world. Juglans regia and pistachio Pistacia veraevaluated as no national experts from as Near Threatened even though recentTurkmenistan attended the workshop. A high proportion of the threatened taxa paleontological evidence for walnut in theThe full Red List of globally threatened are Critically Endangered, that is, they Fergana Valley (Kyrgyzstan) suggests ittrees from Central Asia with associated face an extremely high risk of extinction may have an anthropogenic origin, rathercategories and criteria can be found on in the wild. Many of these are narrow than native (Beer et al., 2007). For walnut,page 13. A summary of the results of the endemics, such as Abies semenovii and the experts have taken a precautionaryevaluation are in the table below. Crataegus knorringiana, whose approach until further evidence becomes fragmented populations are threatened available because of the global by cutting and/or over-grazing. Others, significance of the walnut forests in relatives of domesticated fruit trees and Central Asia and their importance as an shrubs such as Pyrus korshinskyi and international genetic resource.

CURRENT CONSERVATIONMEASURES FOR THREATENED • Archa JUMP Project on the Sustainable Management of Juniper Forests inTREES OF CENTRAL ASIA Southern Kyrgyzstan (CEC)As described in the introduction, all five • Central Asia Transboundary Biodiversity Project in West Tien Shan (GEF)countries of Central Asia have a long- • Conservation of Tugai Forests and Strengthening Protected Areas System in theestablished tradition of nature protection Amu-Darya Delta of Karakalpakstan (UNDP and GEF)and forest management. This is also true • Impact of the Transformation Process on Human-environmental Interactions infor scientific research in the biological Southern Kyrgyzstan (Volkswagen Foundation)sciences and is evident in the extensive • In-situ Conservation of Kazakhstan’s Mountain Agrobiodiversity (UNDP/GEF)network of botanic gardens, arboretums, • Kyrgyz-Swiss Forestry Support Programme (Intercooperation)universities and academic research • Community Conservation of Globally Important Fruit and Nut Forests ininstitutions throughout the region. Kyrgyzstan (FFI)

However, as previously discussed, the

region has undergone dramatic economic, recognized with a number of internationally throughout the region. Not only do thesocial and political transition following funded projects. Some of these projects Central Asian countries share a recentindependence from the former Soviet are listed in Box 1. political legacy, watersheds and mountainUnion in 1991. This has had a profound ranges, but they also share many similarimpact on the capacity of forestry, nature Although the above projects vary greatly issues and problems regarding natureprotection and scientific institutions to in scope it is essential that any lessons conservation, environmental protection,survey, manage and monitor forests, learnt, best practice and possible rural development and the sustainablewoodlands and threatened species. The solutions are disseminated effectively use of natural resources.majority of state conservation agencies andresearch institutions are severely under-resourced and are unable to conduct Case Study: Community Conservation of the Walnut-fruit Forests in Kyrgyzstanbaseline surveys, let alone regulate andmanage forest resource use. In turn, FFI is working with local partners in Kyrgyzstan to improve the conservation of walnut-botanic gardens and germplasm banks fruit forests by promoting the involvement of local communities in forest management.lack the staff and basic equipment to Threats to forest integrity include: limited natural regeneration because of grazingmaintain globally important ex situ pressure and hay-making within the forest; illegal cutting of trees and collection ofcollections of threatened trees. firewood; over-harvesting of fruits and nuts; pests (such as gypsy moth) and disease.

There is immense pressure on Central In recent times, local people have had little opportunity to engage in forestAsian forests and woodlands to provide management and planning, although they do have access to forest resourcesfirewood, timber and NTFPs. State forestry through the leasing of forest plots. These fruit and nut forests are a vital resource foragencies and protected areas therefore local people, providing fuelwood, food, fodder and grazing for livestock, as well asface huge challenges in the conservation an important income from the walnut harvest.of threatened trees and the sustainable useof forest products. These challenges are The project is initially working in Kara Alma, bringing together communityexemplified by the 44 globally threatened representatives, the local forest service and other stakeholders for open discussionstree species, a significant proportion of on key issues, resulting in a collaborative conservation management plan for thewhich are wild relatives of globally sustainable use of the forest. In addition, following a participatory needs assessment,important fruit crops. training and essential equipment are being provided to the local forest service to increase their capacity to work with local communities to protect and manage theThe global importance and plight of the forest. Through the provision of small grants and associated training, local peopleunique forests and fruit and nut diversity of are being supported to adopt environmentally sustainable livelihood options to reduceCentral Asia has recently begun to be socio-economic pressures on the forest. These small-scale income generation initiatives have included bee keeping, fruit preservation, and various small workshops.

PRIORITY NEEDS FOR ACTION in ex situ collections should be established Soviet times and their current conservationThe forests of Central Asia, with their as soon as possible to act as an insurance status is not known. Other DD speciesincredibly rich diversity of fruit and nut trees, policy against extinctions in the wild. require collaboration with experts in China,are of global significance. The conservation National plant genetic resource authorities Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan in order toof this unique inheritance is paramount, not should be provided with the necessary establish their conservation status.only for the region but for the whole legal and policy training to establish multi-international community. It is therefore lateral agreements for the exchange andimperative that the international community utilisation of plant genetic resources. Onceprovides the necessary financial resources, established, these agreements could be ainvestment and training to build the mechanism to ensure long-term funding forcapacity of scientific institutions, nature the conservation of globally importantconservation and forestry agencies, genetic resources. It is a sad irony that thebotanic gardens and germplasm banks to progenitor of the domesticated apple,manage and conserve this unique heritage Malus sieversii, is threatened by extinctioneffectively. in its natural environment, whilst the export value of apples from the top ten apple-The region’s state forestry agencies and producing countries is over US$3 billion aprotected areas network require substantial year (FAO, 2008). More poignantly, Malusinvestment and capacity building. With so sieversii germplasm collected in the 1990smany challenges faced by these agencies, from Kazakhstan is currently being used bytraining in the development of participatory the USDA Agricultural Research Service toforest management plans, local community improve disease resistance in current appleengagement, rural development and cultivars (Forsline et al., 2003). So far,natural resource management is urgently researchers have discovered Malusneeded. Many of the state agencies lack sieversii samples that show resistance tobasic equipment and infrastructure such as apple scab, fire blight, drought anduniforms, horses or vehicles, numerous soil pathogens (Pons, 2006).communication equipment and ranger These research findings once againposts. In order to alleviate the immediate highlight the global importance ofpressures on forests from firewood conserving the wild relatives ofcollection and illegal logging, pilot projects domesticated fruit and nut trees.that provide alternative sources of energyto villagers should be trialled, assessed and Twenty-three of the trees and shrubsrolled out. evaluated are Critically Endangered. Species recovery plans using both in situA review of the status of the region’s and ex situ methods need to be developedbotanic gardens, gene bank facilities and and implemented urgently. Closeex situ tree collections needs to be collaboration between different agencies inundertaken. This should be coupled with a neighbouring countries may be required forreview of the ex situ collections held transboundary species.outside the region. Once the state of theseinstitutions is known a programme of Eighteen of the species are Data Deficientinstitutional capacity building, possibly with (DD). For a number of species this isthe formation of a regional network of because of scientific institutions’ lack ofex situ conservation facilities, should be capacity to conduct basic surveys. Ainitiated. Representatives of the 44 number of potentially threatened speciesthreatened tree species not yet conserved have not been surveyed since before

10 The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

CENTRAL ASIA

R u s si a R u s sia yl Tab

Astana Esil Oral Karaganda Alta i Mo unt ain s a Zhayy

Irtish KAZA K H S T A N Lake Balkhash

Aralsk Syr- Aral Dar ya Sea Ile

Almaty C

UZB a

EK Bishkek s

KYRGYZSTAN p

IS ia

Bukhara TA Tashkent Naryn n

N Tien Shan Mountains S ea

TURKMENISTAN Samarkand Ashgabat C hin a TAJIKISTAN ns

Am ntai

Kop u- Da et d Garagum Kanaly rya Dushanbe Mou

ag Mo unt ain ir

s Pam

A f g h a n is ta n I ran Kushka

0 300 600 900 1200 Kilometres

0 186 372 558 744 Miles

11The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

THE RED LIST OF TREES OF CENTRAL ASIA

Abies semenovii B.Fedtsch. naturally occurs. In Kazakhstan, it is only known from threeCR B1ab(v) localities: Talgar, Turgen and Torkulak. Threats to the speciesKyrgyzstan include construction, development of tourist resorts, cutting forAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop fuelwood, harvesting of fruit and the collection of germplasm byEndemic to Kyrgyzstan, this species has a very narrow both national and international plant-breeding companies. Thedistribution range. It is restricted to two localities (Talas and distribution of wild apricot in China needs to be determined.Chatkal) with an extent of occurrence less than 100 km². Threatsinclude cutting and disease. Atraphaxis muschketowi Krassn. EN B1ab(iii)Ammopiptanthus kamelinii Lazkov Kazakhstan, KyrgyzstanCR B2ab(iii,v) Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopKyrgyzstan The species has a very restricted range in Central Asia. InAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Kazakhstan it only occurs between the Kaskelen and TalgarA recently described species, A. kamelinii (Lazkov, 2006) was gorges where individuals are sparsely distributed. Expandingpreviously included in Ammopiptanthus nanus (Popov) Cheng. tourism and other recreational activities threaten localities.Endemic to Kyrgyzstan, the species has a very limiteddistribution restricted to Kavak-Too Mountain between 1,600– Berberis iliensis Popov2,000 m above sea level. Threats include mining, fossil VU B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)exploration, poor regeneration and natural hazards. The total Kazakhstan, Chinanumber of individuals in Kyrgyzstan is around 3,000–4,000. Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop This Berberis species is restricted to the Ili River basin inAmygdalus bucharica Korsh. Kazakhstan and China. The small fragmented sub-populationsVU B2ab(iii,v) are threatened by water extraction, cutting and fire.Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, UzbekistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Berberis karkaralensis Kornilova & PotapovEndemic to Central Asia, this species is in decline in Uzbekistan. CR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)Main threats are grazing, collection of fruit for almond oil and Kazakhstanpoor regeneration caused by intermittent fruiting. Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop A narrow endemic restricted to central Kazakhstan in the KentAmygdalus ledebouriana Schlecht. and Karkaraly mountains. Although the species occurs inEN B1ab(iii) protected areas it continues to be threatened by tourism,Kazakhstan grazing and natural fires.Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopThe species is endemic to east Kazakhstan in the Altai and Betula jarmolenkoana GoloskokovTarbagatai mountain ranges. It occurs on mountain slopes and CR B1ab(iii,v)+ B2ab(iii,v)along river valleys. The extent of occurrence is less than 100 Kazakhstankm2. Threats include cutting, habitat reduction and the collection Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopof fruit and flowers. The flowers are particularly in demand for A narrow relict endemic restricted to three river basins (Kokpa,international women’s day. The nuts are used for almond oil Tekes and Bayankol/Narynkol) in one mountain range. Declinesproduction. in the extent of habitat have been observed, primarily because of fire.Armeniaca vulgaris Lam.EN B1ab(iii) Betula kirghisorum SawiczChina, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan CR B2ab(v)Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop KazakhstanThe wild apricot, the origin of all cultivated apricots, is Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopconsidered very rare in all three Central Asian countries where it Although known from four localities, including the Siberian

12 The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

lowlands of Kustanai province and the Chingiz Tau Mountains in Calligonum calcareum Pavloveastern Kazakhstan, the species has a very restricted area of CR B2ab(iii,v)occupancy (less than 10 km²). The total population is less than Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan1,000 individual trees and regeneration is poor. Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop The species is restricted to a specific soil type in the Sokh RiverBetula pamirica Litv. basin. It is threatened by over-grazing and cutting. Its timber isVU B2ab(v) highly valued for tandoori cooking.Tajikistan (possibly Kyrgyzstan)Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Calligonum elegans V.P.DrobowThis birch species is restricted to the Pamir-Alai range in EN B2ab(iii,v)Tajikistan (possibly also Kyrgyzstan) at altitudes between 2,500– Uzbekistan3,300 m. The species is scarce, declining and only known from Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopfive localities (Darvaz, Vanj, Rushan, Gunt and Shokhdara). The The species is restricted to a narrow ecological niche in the Sokhspecies is considered to be a synonym of B. tianschanica Rupr. River basin, southern Ferghana. It is threatened by cutting andby some taxonomists. grazing.

CR B2ab(v); C1 EN B2ab(iii,v)Tajikistan UzbekistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopThis birch species is endemic to the Gorno-Badakhshan range The species is restricted to a narrow ecological niche in Bukharain Tajikistan at altitudes between 2,000–2,500 m. It is restricted province. Threats include cutting and grazing.to four localities (Shabdara, Gunt, Rushan and Darvaz) with atotal population size of less than 250 and declining. The species Calligonum molle Litv.is considered to be a synonym of B. tianschanica Rupr. by some EN B2ab(iii,v)taxonomists. Uzbekistan Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopBetula talassica Poljakov The species is restricted to a narrow ecological niche in theEN B2ab(iii) Bukhara province. Threats include cutting and grazing.KazakhstanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Calligonum paletzkianum Litv.The species is restricted to two localities in Kazakhstan: the VU B2ab(iii,v)Aksu River basin and rivers in the Karatau mountain range. Turkmenistan, UzbekistanAlthough some protection is afforded to the Aksu sub- Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshoppopulation, as it is located in a protected area, declines have The species is found along the Uzbekistan/Turkmenistan borderbeen observed in the Karatau range. The species is sometimes and is restricted to a narrow ecological niche. The sparselytreated as a synonym of B. pendula Roth. distributed populations are threatened by grazing and collection for firewood.Betula tianschanica Rupr.EN A2ac; B2ab(ii,iii) Calligonum triste Litv.Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan CR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Kazakhstan, TurkmenistanThe species occurs in river basins and valleys of western Tien Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopShan (Ugam, Pskem and Chatkal). Populations are fragmented In Kazakhstan this species is only known from one locality, theand in decline, threatened by livestock, avalanches and tourism. Pri-Aral Moyunkum. It is threatened by the drainage of the Aral Sea, desertification and soil salination. The species is considered endangered in Turkmenistan although details on its distribution are not known.

13The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

Crataegus darvasica Pojark. Lonicera paradoxa Pojark.

CR B2ab(iii,v) EN B2ab(iii,v)Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, UzbekistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopThis very rare endemic hawthorn is only found in south-west This honeysuckle species is considered to be extremelyDarvaz of Tajikistan. It is in decline because of over-grazing and threatened in all the Central Asian countries where it occurs.cutting. Threats include cattle grazing and tourism.

Crataegus necopinata Pojark. Malus niedzwetzkyana Dieck.

CR B2ab(iii,v) EN B2ab(iii,v)Tajikistan (possibly Afghanistan) Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, UzbekistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopThe species occurs in the Darvaz Range and downstream of A very rare species in Central Asia, with individuals sporadicallythe Vanj River in Tajikistan, although it may also occur in distributed in fragmented populations. Threats include loss andneighbouring Afghanistan. The species is threatened by cutting degradation of habitat because of agricultural expansion andfor timber. development, genetic erosion (grafting of commercial varieties and hybridization) and over-grazing. As a wild relative ofCrataegus knorringiana Pojark. domesticated apple the species is of global importance as anCR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) international genetic resource.KyrgyzstanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Malus sieversii (Ledeb.) M.Roem.The species has a very limited distribution with only one locality, VU A2acdea ravine in the Alai Mountains. Human disturbance, over-grazing China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,and cutting threaten the species. Uzbekistan Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopJuniperus schugnanica Komarov As with M. niedzwetzkyana, threats include loss and degradationVU A2ad of habitat because of agricultural expansion and development,Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan genetic erosion (grafting of commercial varieties andAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop hybridization) and over-grazing. In Kazakhstan its habitat hasThe species is endemic to eastern Tajikistan (Gorno- declined by over 70% in the last 30 years. Molecular geneticBadakhshan) and the adjacent area of Kyrgyzstan in the work strongly indicates that Malus sieversii is one of the mainPamir-Alai Range. The fragmented populations are restricted to progenitors of domesticated apples (Harris et al., 2002) and isvalleys and gorges and are threatened by cutting for firewood. therefore a species of significant global importance. With mostPopulations in the vicinity of settlements are most threatened commercial apple cultivars having a narrow genetic base it iswith observed declines of over 30% in the last 20 years. imperative that the wide genetic diversity in this species is conserved both in situ and ex situ.Lonicera karataviensis PavlovCR B2ab(iii) Picea schrenkiana Fisch. et. Mey. prostrata K.IsakovKazakhstan VU B2ab(iii,v)Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Kazakhstan, KyrgyzstanThe species is only known from two localities in the Karkara Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopgorge in Kazakhstan. The total population is 600–700 individuals This alpine form of P. schrenkiana has a very narrow altitudinaland although the populations occur in a protected area the range (2,800–3,100 m). There are only seven known localities inspecies is still threatened by tourism development. A recent the northern Tien Shan. Threats include cattle grazing, cuttingtaxonomic revision in Kyrgyzstan described populations and climate change. There is taxonomic uncertainty about thepreviously thought to be L. karataviensis as L. sovetkinae. distinctness of this form in Kyrgyzstan.

14 The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

Polygonum toktogulicum Lazkov Ribes malvifolium Pojark.

CR B2ab(iii) CR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan, UzbekistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopThis species has a very limited distribution with an area of This wild currant species has a very limited distribution with onlyoccupancy less than 1 km². It grows close to a large settlement two known localities. Threats include fruit collection andand is threatened by over-grazing. There are only approximately livestock grazing.2,000 individuals of this species. Rhus coriaria L.Populus berkarensis Poljakov VU B2ab(iii)CR D Tajikistan, UzbekistanKazakhstan Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop The species has a very limited and fragmented distribution andA narrow endemic, with a total population of less than 50 is threatened by over-grazing.individuals. It grows in mountain gorges and rocky slopes ataltitudes of 1,000–1,200 m. Very little is known about rates of Sibiraea tianschanica (Krassn.) Pojark.decline or threats. CR B2ab(iii) Kazakhstan, KyrgyzstanPrunus tadzhikistanica V.I.Zapryagaeva Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopEN B2ab(iii,v) The species is listed in the national Red Data books ofTajikistan Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. It has a very limited distribution andAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop has not been collected for several years. Threats includeA species endemic to western Pamir (the Gisar mountain range) agricultural expansion, tourism and housing developments.between 1,800–2,000 m. Threats include cutting andagricultural expansion. Rosa pavlovii Chrshan. CR B2ab(iii)Pyrus cajon V.I.Zapryagaeva KazakhstanEN B2ab(iii,v) Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopTajikistan Considered as a distinct species by Kazakh botanists, thisAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop narrow endemic occurs at only a few localities in north-eastA rare endemic of Gorno-Badakhshan province, this wild pear Kazakhstan. It grows in wet meadows alongside the river Irtishspecies is threatened by agricultural expansion. (Dzhangaliev et al., 2003). It is in decline and threatened by housing developments and urban sprawl from Pavlodar city.Pyrus korshinskyi Litv. Rosa pavlovii is considered to be a synonym of R. majalis Herrm.CR B2ab(iii,v) by some taxonomists.Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, UzbekistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Spiraeanthus schrenkianus (Fisch. et Mey.) Maxim.This wild pear is known from only a few fragmented sub- EN B2 ab(iii,v)populations. It is threatened by over-grazing, fruit harvesting and Kazakhstanthe collection of saplings for rootstock. Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop In Kazakhstan there are only three known localities, in thePyrus tadshikistanica V.I.Zapryagaeva Betpak-Dala Desert and the Syrdarga Kara-Tau. Threats includeCR B2ab(iii,v) habitat degradation and cutting. The species may occur inTajikistan Kyrgyzstan.Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopRestricted to the Darvas Mountains at 1,300–1,600 m,populations of this endemic pear are very small and fragmented.The species is threatened by cutting.

15The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

Sophora korolkovii Koehne SPECIES EVALUATED AS NEAR THREATENED

CR B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)Kyrgyzstan Fraxinus sogdiana BungeAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop NTAlthough considered to be a synonym of Styphnolobium China (west Xinjiang), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,japonicum (L.) Schott (ILDIS, 2007), Kyrgyz botanists consider Uzbekistanthis to be a distinct species of Sophora. With a very limited Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopdistribution Sophora korolkovii is threatened by grazing, This species of ash, which grows along rivers in open deciduousconstruction and mining. forest, is threatened in Kazakhstan. Threats in Central Asia include cutting for timber and changes to water regimes.Swida darvasica (Pojark.) SojakCR B2ab(iii,v) Juglans regia L.Tajikistan NTAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan,The species has a very limited distribution and is threatened by Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistanagricultural expansion, cutting and over-grazing. Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Although recent palaeontological evidence for walnut in theZygophyllum bucharicum B.Fedtsch. Fergana Valley (Kyrgyzstan) suggests that walnut may beCR B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) anthropogenic in origin rather than native to the region (Beer et al.,Uzbekistan (possibly Tajikistan) 2007) the evaluation has taken a precautionary approach becauseAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop of the global significance of the walnut forests in Central Asia andGrowing along the border of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and their importance as an international genetic resource.restricted to a narrow ecological range the species is threatenedby over-grazing. Juniperus seravshanica Kom. NTZygophyllum darvasicum Boriss. Uzbekistan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, TajikistanCR B2ab(iii,v) Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopTajikistan (possibly Afghanistan) Although widespread in Central Asia declines have been observedAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop in the region, particularly in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. TheThe species is endemic to Gorno-Badakhshan; in the Dervas timber is favoured for saunas and the species is also threatenedRange and by the Pange River. It is very scarce and threatened by over-grazing and fires.by cutting. It may also occur in Afghanistan but its current statusthere is not known. Populus pruinosa Schrenk NT Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Although the species has a wide distribution it has a very narrow ecological range, restricted to river banks in arid areas. The species is threatened by changes in water regime (irrigation and hydroelectric power stations), cutting and agricultural conversion.

SPECIES EVALUATED AS DATA DEFICIENT Cercis griffithii Boiss.

DDAmygdalus susakensis Vassilcz. Distribution unknownDD Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopKyrgyzstan In Central Asia the species is known to occur on the borderAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, although very little is knownThe species is only known from its type specimen. There are no about its status. Records indicate that it may also occur inrecent data and its taxonomic status is uncertain. Afghanistan, Pakistan and India; this requires verification, however.Astragalus kokaschikii GamajunDD Cotoneaster karatavicus Pojark.Kazakhstan DDAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop KazakhstanThis taxon is only known from one locality in the Betpak-Dala Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopDesert in central Kazakhstan. Although a very narrow endemic, The current status of this narrow endemic, restricted to theno information is known on patterns of decline or threats. Its Karatau mountain range in southern Kazakhstan, is not known.taxonomic status is uncertain as it is considered by some to bea synonym of Astragalus krascheninnikovii Kamelin (ILDIS, 2007; Crataegus ambigua C.A. Mey.IPNI, 2007). DD Kazakhstan, RussiaAstragalus tscharynensis Popov Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopDD Known from only one locality in Kazakhstan, the conservationKazakhstan status of this species in Russia is not known.Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopThe species is recorded from the Boguta Mountains in the Daphne altaica Pall.Charyn River basin. No collections of the species have been DDmade in the past 100 years and it may no longer exist in the Kazakhstan, Russiawild. Exhaustive surveys are required to determine its true status Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopand whether it is extinct. In Kazakhstan the species is known to occur in the Altai, Manrak and Tarbagatai Mountains and is considered threatened by fireAtraphaxis teretifolia (Popov) Kom. and grazing. Its status in Russia is not known.DDKazakhstan Hedysarum scoparium Fisch. et C.A.Mey.Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop DDThis rare relict species only occurs in the Betpak-Dala Desert. Its China, Kazakhstan, Mongoliadistribution is less than 100 km² but there is no information on Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopdeclines or threats. The status of this species in Mongolia and China is not known.

DD DDChina, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, TurkmenistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshop Assessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopIn Kyrgyzstan the species is known from one locality in the Besh- Although threatened in Kazakhstan the status of this species inAral National Park. Its status in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Iran is not known.China is not known.

17The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco

DDChina, UzbekistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopAlthough the species is threatened in Uzbekistan its status inChina is unknown.

Pyrus asiae-mediae (Popov) Maleev

DDKazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, UzbekistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopThe species has not been seen since it was originally describedand may actually be extinct. Its taxonomic status is not clear.

Sibiraea altaiensis (Laxm.) Schneider

DDKazakhstan, RussiaAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopAlthough threatened in Kazakhstan the status of the species inRussia is not known.

Sorbaria olgae Zinserl.

DDUzbekistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopThis species is considered to be extinct in Uzbekistan. Extensivefieldwork and exhaustive surveys are required for confirmation.

Sorbus turkestanica (Franch.) Hedl.

DDTajikistanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopHerbarium specimens, now thought to have been misidentified,indicated that this species was once widespread in Central Asia.However, current general opinion is that it is only present inTajikistan.

Zygophyllum kaschgaricum Boriss.

DDChina, KyrgyzstanAssessor: Central Asian regional tree Red Listing workshopThe status of the species in Kyrgyzstan and China is not known.

18 The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

SPECIES EVALUATED AS LEAST CONCERN

Abelia corymbosa Regel et Schmalh.

Widespread distribution across western Tien Shan in Central Diospyros lotus L.Asia. Widespread distribution including Central Asia, the Mediterranean and the Caucasus.Aflatunia ulmifolia (Franch.) Vasscilcz.Although rare in Kazakhstan the species is widespread and Euonymus koopmannii Lauchecommon in Kyrgyzstan. Widespread in western Tien Shan.

Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. Euonymus verrucosus Scop.

Widespread in Europe and Central Asia. Widespread distribution including Russia, Eastern Europe and Tajikistan.Amygdalus petunnikovii Litv.Although the species has a limited distribution in Central Asia Ficus carica L.there are no immediate threats. The species tends to grow on A widespread species.inaccessible cliffs and in both Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan thepopulations are located in protected areas. Jasminum humile L. Although considered to be Endangered in Tajikistan the speciesBerberis kaschgarica Rupr. is also recorded as occurring in China, Afghanistan and IndiaThe species is restricted to high altitude areas in Kyrgyzstan and (TROPICOS, 2009).China. Although the extent of occurrence is less than 10 km²there are no immediate threats to populations. Juniperus sibirica Burgsd. Widespread in Russia, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.Calophaca wolgarica (L.f.) DC.Occurs in Russia, Kazakhstan and the Caucasus. Keyserlingia mollis (Royle) Boiss. Widespread distribution including Pakistan, Tajikistan andCaragana tragacanthoides (Pall.) Poir. Afghanistan.Although considered to be Vulnerable in Kazakhstan the specieshas also been recorded in China, India, Nepal and Pakistan Ledum palustre L.(ILDIS, 2007). Although rare in Kazakhstan the species is widespread in the Russian Altai.Celtis caucasica Willd.Occurs in Kazakhstan, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, the Caucasus, Platanus orientalis L.Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Very widespread, ranging from the east Mediterranean throughout the Middle East to the south-east provinces of theCorylus avellana L. Euro-Siberian region.Widespread in Europe. Populus nigra L.Crataegus korolkowi Regel ex C.K.Schneid Widespread in Europe.Widespread in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Punica granatum L.Crataegus pontica C.Koch Although threatened in Central Asia by over-grazing, the speciesWidespread in Central Asia. has a wide distribution that includes the Mediterranean, Iran, Turkey and the Caucasus.

19The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

Quercus robur L.Widespread in Europe.

Restella alberti (Regel) Pobed.

Although the species has a restricted distribution in Uzbekistanand Kyrgyzstan, there are no immediate threats. Most of thepopulations in Uzbekistan are in a protected area.

Ribes janczewskii Pojark.

Although rare in Kazakhstan and the Gorno-Badakhshanprovince of Tajikistan the species is widespread in the otherCentral Asian countries.

Sorbus tianschanica Rupr.

Tamarix androssowii Litv.

Vitis vinifera L.Although threatened by collection the species is widelydistributed in Central Asia and the Mediterranean.

Ziziphus jujuba Mill.

Widespread distribution including China and the Caucasus aswell as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

20 The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

SPECIES NOT EVALUATED

The following trees and shrubs are listed in the Red Data Bookof Turkmenistan (Atamuradov et al., 1999) but have yet to beglobally evaluated according to the IUCN Red List categoriesand criteria (IUCN, 2001). Although these species are threatenedin Turkmenistan it is unlikely that the majority will be threatenedglobally as many have distributions outside Turkmenistan.

Newton, A.C. and Oldfield, S. (2008) Red Listing the World’s

Pons, L. (2006) Remarkable Kazak apples: Their Resistance

to Disease May Boost an Entire Industry. AgriculturalResearch, January, 4–6.

Safarov, N. (2003) Republic of Tajikistan: National Strategy

and Action Plan on the Conservation and Sustainable Use ofBiodiversity. Government of the Republic of Tajikistan,Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan.

23The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

ANNEX 1IUCN RED LIST CATEGORIES AND CRITERIA

EXTINCT (EX) DATA DEFICIENT (DD)

A taxon is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last A taxon is Data Deficient when there is inadequate information toindividual has died. A taxon is presumed Extinct when exhaustive make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction basedsurveys in known and/or expected habitat, at appropriate times on its distribution and/or population status. A taxon in this category(diurnal, seasonal, annual), throughout its historic range have failed may be well studied, and its biology well known, but appropriateto record an individual. Surveys should be over a time-frame data on abundance and/or distribution are lacking. Data Deficient isappropriate to the taxon’s life cycle and life form. therefore not a category of threat. Listing of taxa in this category indicates that more information is required and acknowledges theEXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW) possibility that future research will show that threatened classificationA taxon is Extinct in the Wild when it is known only to survive in is appropriate. It is important to make positive use of whatever datacultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or populations) are available. In many cases great care should be exercised inwell outside the past range. A taxon is presumed Extinct in the Wild choosing between DD and a threatened status. If the range of awhen exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitat, at taxon is suspected to be relatively circumscribed, and a considerableappropriate times (diurnal, seasonal, annual), throughout its historic period of time has elapsed since the last record of the taxon,range have failed to record an individual. Surveys should be over a threatened status may well be justified.time-frame appropriate to the taxon’s life cycle and life form. NOT EVALUATED (NE)CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR) A taxon is Not Evaluated when it is has not yet been evaluatedA taxon is Critically Endangered when the best available evidence against the criteria.indicates that it meets any of the criteria A to E for CriticallyEndangered (see Section V), and it is therefore considered to be THE CRITERIA FOR CRITICALLY ENDANGERED,facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. ENDANGERED AND VULNERABLE

ENDANGERED (EN) CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR)

A taxon is Endangered when the best available evidence indicates A taxon is Critically Endangered when the best available evidencethat it meets any of the criteria A to E for Endangered (see Section indicates that it meets any of the following criteria (A to E), and it isV), and it is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of therefore considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinctionextinction in the wild. in the wild:

VULNERABLE (VU) A. Reduction in population size based on any of the following:

A taxon is Vulnerable when the best available evidence indicates that 1. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population sizeit meets any of the criteria A to E for Vulnerable (see Section V), and reduction of ≥90% over the last 10 years or three generations,it is therefore considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in whichever is the longer, where the causes of the reduction arethe wild. clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased, based on (and specifying) any of the following:NEAR THREATENED (NT) (a) direct observationA taxon is Near Threatened when it has been evaluated against the (b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxoncriteria but does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or (c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrenceVulnerable now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for and/or quality of habitata threatened category in the near future. (d) actual or potential levels of exploitation (e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens,LEAST CONCERN (LC) pollutants, competitors or parasites.A taxon is Least Concern when it has been evaluated against thecriteria and does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, 2 An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population sizeVulnerable or Near Threatened. Widespread and abundant taxa are reduction of ≥80% over the last 10 years or three generations,included in this category. whichever is the longer, where the reduction or its causes may

24 The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following: reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1. (i) extent of occurrence (ii) area of occupancy 3. A population size reduction of ≥80%, projected or suspected (iii) number of locations or subpopulations to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, (iv) number of mature individuals. whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years), based on (and specifying) any of (b) to (e) under A1. C. Population size estimated to number fewer than 250 mature individuals and either: 4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected 1. An estimated continuing decline of at least 25% within three population size reduction of ≥80% over any 10 year or three years or one generation, whichever is longer, (up to a generation period, whichever is longer (up to a maximum of maximum of 100 years in the future) OR 100 years in the future), where the time period must include both the past and the future, and where the reduction or its 2. A continuing decline, observed, projected, or inferred, in causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR numbers of mature individuals AND at least one of the may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to following (a-b): (e) under A1. (a) Population structure in the form of one of the following: (i) no subpopulation estimated to contain more thanB. Geographic range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) 50 mature individuals, OR OR B2 (area of occupancy) OR both: (ii) at least 90% of mature individuals in one 1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 100 km2, and subpopulation. estimates indicating at least two of a-c: (b) Extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals. a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single location. D. Population size estimated to number fewer than 50 mature b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in individuals. any of the following: (i) extent of occurrence E. Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the (ii) area of occupancy wild is at least 50% within 10 years or three generations, (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years). (iv) number of locations or subpopulations (v) number of mature individuals. ENDANGERED (EN) c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following: A taxon is Endangered when the best available evidence indicates (i) extent of occurrence that it meets any of the following criteria (A to E), and it is therefore (ii) area of occupancy considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild: (iii) number of locations or subpopulations A. Reduction in population size based on any of the following: (iv) number of mature individuals. 1. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size reduction of ≥70% over the last 10 years or three generations, 2. Area of occupancy estimated to be less than 10 km2, and whichever is the longer, where the causes of the reduction are estimates indicating at least two of a-c: clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased, based on a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at only a single (and specifying) any of the following: location. (a) direct observation b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in (b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon any of the following: (c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence (i) extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat (ii) area of occupancy (d) actual or potential levels of exploitation (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat (e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, (iv) number of locations or subpopulations pollutants, competitors or parasites. (v) number of mature individuals.

25The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

2. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size (ii) area of occupancy

reduction of ≥50% over the last 10 years or three generations, (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat whichever is the longer, where the reduction or its causes may (iv) number of locations or subpopulations not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be (v) number of mature individuals. reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1. c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following: (i) extent of occurrence 3. A population size reduction of ≥50%, projected or suspected (ii) area of occupancy to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, (iii) number of locations or subpopulations whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years), based (iv) number of mature individuals. on (and specifying) any of (b) to (e) under A1. C. Population size estimated to number fewer than 2500 mature 4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected individuals and either: population size reduction of ≥50% over any 10 year or three 1. An estimated continuing decline of at least 20% within five generation period, whichever is longer (up to a maximum of years or two generations, whichever is longer, (up to a 100 years in the future), where the time period must include maximum of 100 years in the future) OR both the past and the future, AND where the reduction or its causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR 2. A continuing decline, observed, projected, or inferred, in may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to numbers of mature individuals AND at least one of the (e) under A1. following (a-b): (a) Population structure in the form of one of the following:B. Geographic range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) (i) no subpopulation estimated to contain more than OR B2 (area of occupancy) OR both: 250 mature individuals, OR 1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 5000 km2, and (ii) at least 95% of mature individuals in one estimates indicating at least two of a-c: subpopulation. a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than (b) Extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals. five locations. b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in D. Population size estimated to number fewer than 250 mature any of the following: individuals. (i) extent of occurrence (ii) area of occupancy E. Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat wild is at least 20% within 20 years or five generations, whichever (iv) number of locations or subpopulations is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years). (v) number of mature individuals. c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following: VULNERABLE (VU) (i) extent of occurrence A taxon is Vulnerable when the best available evidence indicates that (ii) area of occupancy it meets any of the following criteria (A to E), and it is therefore (iii) number of locations or subpopulations considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild: (iv) number of mature individuals. A. Reduction in population size based on any of the following: 1. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size 2. Area of occupancy estimated to be less than 500 km2, and reduction of ≥50% over the last 10 years or three generations, estimates indicating at least two of a-c: whichever is the longer, where the causes of the reduction are: clearly reversible AND understood AND ceased, based on a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than (and specifying) any of the following: five locations. (a) direct observation b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any (b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon of the following: (c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence (i) extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat

26 The Red List of Trees of Central Asia

(d) actual or potential levels of exploitation b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any (e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, of the following: pollutants, competitors or parasites. (i) extent of occurrence (ii) area of occupancy 2. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat reduction of ≥30% over the last 10 years or three generations, (iv) number of locations or subpopulations whichever is the longer, where the reduction or its causes may (v) number of mature individuals. not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following: reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1. (i) extent of occurrence (ii) area of occupancy 3. A population size reduction of ≥30%, projected or suspected (iii) number of locations or subpopulations to be met within the next 10 years or three generations, (iv) number of mature individuals. whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years), based on (and specifying) any of (b) to (e) under A1. C. Population size estimated to number fewer than 10,000 mature individuals and either: 4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected 1. An estimated continuing decline of at least 10% within 10 population size reduction of ≥30% over any 10 year or three years or three generations, whichever is longer, (up to a generation period, whichever is longer (up to a maximum of maximum of 100 years in the future) OR 100 years in the future), where the time period must include both the past and the future, AND where the reduction or its 2. A continuing decline, observed, projected, or inferred, in causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR numbers of mature individuals AND at least one of the may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to following (a-b): (e) under A1. (a) Population structure in the form of one of the following: (i) no subpopulation estimated to contain more thanB. Geographic range in the form of either B1 (extent of occurrence) 1000 mature individuals, OR OR B2 (area of occupancy) OR both: (ii) all mature individuals are in one subpopulation. 1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 20,000 km2, (b) Extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals. and estimates indicating at least two of a-c: a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than D. Population very small or restricted in the form of either of the 10 locations. following: b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any 1. Population size estimated to number fewer than 1000 mature of the following: individuals. (i) extent of occurrence (ii) area of occupancy 2. Population with a very restricted area of occupancy (typically (iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat less than 20 km2) or number of locations (typically five or fewer) (iv) number of locations or subpopulations such that it is prone to the effects of human activities or (v) number of mature individuals. stochastic events within a very short time period in an c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following: uncertain future, and is thus capable of becoming Critically (i) extent of occurrence Endangered or even Extinct in a very short time period. (ii) area of occupancy (iii) number of locations or subpopulations E. Quantitative analysis showing the probability of extinction in the (iv) number of mature individuals. wild is at least 10% within 100 years.

2. Area of occupancy estimated to be less than 2000 km2, and Source: IUCN (2001) estimates indicating at least two of a-c: a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at no more than 10 locations.